Work begins to uncover one of Britain's oldest chapels

The excavation has begun to uncover St Piran's Oratory in Cornwall.The week-long project, to be carried out by a team of volunteers led by archaeologists, is the culmination of a 15 year campaign by the St Piran Trust.

Buried to protect it from the elements in 1980, the 5th century stone structure set in sand dunes above Perranporth, is claimed by some historians to be the oldest Christian building in Britain.

Ian Saltern from the St Piran Trust, and Cornish MP Sarah Newton, say it's an historic day:-

Work to uncover what is believed to be Britain's oldest chapel has begun.

It follows a 15 year campaign to uncover the oratory which was buried 30 years ago in a sand dune near Perranporth in Cornwall to protect it from the elements.

However experts now believe it is at risk in the sand and needs to be uncovered.

Volunteers from all over the country are joining archeologists and excavators to help dig and uncover the ancient chapel. They will be digging for the next four weeks.

The 5th century building is located in one of the most ecologically sensitive sites in Europe, which means it took longer than expected to obtain the various legal permissions to excavate the building, which is encased in a concrete shell.

The project is supported by Cornwall Council, Perranzabuloe Parish Council, English Heritage, Heritage Lottery, Cornwall Heritage Trust, the Duke of Cornwall and private donors.